Composition comprising useful agent such as fertilizers, housed in heterocyclic polymer

ABSTRACT

This invention concerns polymers of the general formula: ##STR1## wherein R is a multivalent hydrocarbon radical and Het is a 5 to 8 membered heterocyclic system having a nitrogen, oxygen or sulfur hetero atom. The polymers are useful for making articles of manufacture and as coating for delivering beneficial agents such as fertilizers.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a division of United States Patent Application Ser.No. 8,479 filed on Feb. 2, 1979. This application and Ser. No. 8,479 areboth assigned to the ALZA Corporation of Palo Alto, CA.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to polymers. More particularly, theinvention pertains to both novel and useful polymers comprising acarbon-dioxygen backbone having a heterocyclic system bivalently bondedthrough a hetero carbon atom to the dioxygen atoms. The polymers arerepresented by the following general formula: ##STR2## wherein (I) O isdivalent oxygen atom in the polymeric chain; (II), R is a di, tri ortetravalent hydrocarbyl; including alkylene; alkenylene; cycloalkylene;cycloalkylene substituted with alkyl, alkenyl, alkoxy, alkylene, andalkenylene; cycloalkenylene; cycloalkenylene substituted with an alkyl,alkenyl, alkoxy, alkylene or alkenylene; arylene; and arylenesubstituted with an alkyl, alkenyl, alkoxy, alkylene or alkenylene; and(III) Het is a monocyclic, heterocyclic five to eight membered ringcomprising (1) a carbon atom bivalently bonded to the oxygen atoms ofthe polymeric chain; (2) a hetero ring atom pendant from and adjacent tothe carbon atom bonded to the oxygen atoms in the polymeric chain, saidhetero pendant atom selected from the group consisting of nitrogen,sulfur and oxygen; and (3) a bridge-forming member selected from thegroup consisting of an alkylene bridge and a hetero alkylene bridge thatcompletes the remainder of the heterocyclic ring, the bridgesindependently selected from (a), (b), (c) and (d); wherein (a) is analkylene bridge of 3 to 6 carbon atoms when the hetero pendant atom in(2) is a member selected from the group consisting of nitrogen andsulfur; (b) a hetero-alkylene bridge of 2 to 5 carbon atoms substitutedwith a hetero ring-forming member selected from the group consisting ofnitrogen and sulfur when the hetero pendant atom in (2) is selected fromthe group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen and sulfur; (c) ahetero-dialkylene bridge of 2 to 5 carbon atoms substituted with ahetero ring-forming oxygen atom positioned between the dialkylene groupswhen the hetero pendant atom in (2) is selected from the groupconsisting of nitrogen and sulfur; and (d) an alkylene bridge of 3 to 6carbon atoms substituted with an external group selected from aminoalkyl substituted amino, and mercapto when the hetero pendant atom in(2) is a member selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, sulfurand oxygen. The generic formula also embraces, in addition tohomopolymers, copolymers of the random and block type formed by reactingmonomers or mixtures of preformed homopolymers and/or copolymers,branched polymers and cross-linked polymers. In the above formula n isgreater than 10, usually 10 to 100,000.

DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART

The prior art teaches the reaction of orthoesters with glycols leadingto non-polymeric and other diverse products in Ind. J. Appl. Chem., Vol.28, No. 2, pages 53 to 58, 1965 by Mehrota, et al. This reference alsoteaches that Mehrota, et al obtained monoethoxy-monoglycolate andtriglycoxy-bisorthoformate by reacting orthoformate with hexamethyleneglycol in molar ratios of one to one, and two to three to yield lowmolecular weight compounds. Similarly, Crank, et al in Aust. J. Chem.,Vol. 17, pages 1392 to 1394, 1964 discloses the reaction of triols withorthoesters including ethyl orthoformate with butane-1,2,4-triol,pentane-1,2,5-triol, and pentane-1,3,5-triol to form monomeric bicycliccompounds. During the preparation of the bicyclic orthoesters byreacting ethyl orthoformate with triols, Crank, et al found thatcompounds produced from starting materials having a 1,2-diol structurealso contained compounds having ethylene linkages. In a subsequentpaper, Crank, et al Aust. J. Chem., Vol. 17, pages 1934 to 1938, 1964,developed this reaction into a synthetic procedure for the conversion of1,2,-diols into olefins. Later, DeWolfe in Carboxylic Othro AcidDerivatives, 1970, published by Academic Press, Inc., N.Y., noted thatcarboxylic orthoesters are more reactive toward acid hydrolysis thanalmost any other class of compounds, and this high hydrolytic reactivitycomplicates their synthesis and storage. DeWolfe reported the conversionof diols to cyclic orthoesters including alkoxydioxolane oralkoxydioxane, followed by acid hydrolysis, provides a method formonoacylating diols.

More recently, Bailey reported in Polym Prepr. Amer. Chem. Soc. Div.Polym. Chem., Vol. 13, No. 1, pages 281 to 286, 1972, that thepolymerization of spiro orthoesters at ambient and elevated temperaturesled to polyesters and polycarbonates of structure --CH₂ CH₂ CH₂ COOCH₂CH)--_(n) and --OCH₂ OCOOCH₂ CH₂ CH₂ --_(n). The prior art asexemplified by British Pat. No. 1,239,504 discloses polyorthocarbonatessynthesized by the reaction of a dihalodiaryloxymethane with a dihydroxycompound and a hydrogen halide acceptor. The polyorthocarbonates havethe structure of a methanetetraol ether (carbonic acid orthoester) inthe main chain. The patent is free of any suggestion of polymericorthoesters and polymeric orthocarbonates having a hetercyclic ring, ora fused polycyclic ring functionality. The polymers of the patent areused for electrical insulation and lubricants for metal friction. Thesubject matter of British Pat. No. 1,239,504 also appears in French Pat.No. 1,601,220, and in J. Polym. Sci., Vol. 10, pages 3518; 1972. Otherorthoesters are disclosed in French Pat. No. 1,539,984 wherein theesters are prepared by treating suitable nitriles with hydrogen chlorideto form imino ester hydrochlorides which are alcoholized to form thecorresponding orthoesters. The patent does not disclose polymericproducts having the present structure. In United States parent patentapplication Ser. No. 544,808 filed on Jan. 28, 1975, and now U.S. Pat.No. 4,093,709 issued on June 6, 1978, and in its divisional application,United States Patent Application Ser. No. 883,123 filed on Mar. 3, 1978,which applications are assigned to the same assignee as thisapplication, inventors N. Choi and J. Heller disclosed orthoester andorthocarbonate polymers. The polymers of Choi and Heller comprise apolymeric backbone having a dioxycarbon unit with a multiplicity ofhydrocarbon groups, or a heterocylic mono- or di-oxa ring bondedthereto. The heterocyclic ring of the prior art is free of aza and thiamembers, and substituents containing a nitrogen or sulfur atom.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention concerns a novel and useful polymer. The polymercomprises a backbone containing a repeating unit which unit consistsessentially of (a) and (b) wherein: (a) is a repeating dioxycarbonmoiety covalently bonded to a monocyclic, heterocyclic ring comprising acarbon atom having a nitrogen, sulfur or oxygen atom bonded thereto withthe proviso that when the ring atom is oxygen the ring also has aninternal nitrogen or sulfur atom, or an external amino or mercaptogroup, and the carbon atom is positioned between and covalently bondedto the dioxycarbon moiety; and (b) is a polymeric chain-forminghydrocarbon radical bonded to one of the oxygens of the dioxycarbonbackbone and it is a member selected from the group consisting ofsaturated or unsaturated, branched or unbranched acyclic radicals, andmoncyclic unsubstituted and substituted aliphatic and aromatic rings.The polymers can be synthesized by conventional techniques. The polymerscan be made into assorted articles of manufacture having various shapes,structures and sizes adapted for many environments of use. The polymercan also be used as coating for the controlled release of useful agents.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The phrases hydrocarbon and hydrocarbyl as appearing above, and as usedelsewhere in this specification, includes for the purpose of thisinvention, the divalent, trivalent and tetravalent radicals defined asfollows:

The term alkyl as used herein denotes an alkyl group of 1 to 7 carbonatom, straight or branched, such as methyl, ethyl; n-propyl; n-butyl;n-amyl; n-hexyl; n-heptyl; and the various positional isomers thereofsuch as isopropyl; t-butyl; sec-butyl; isoamyl; isohexyl; t-heptyl; andthe like.

The term alkenyl, as used herein includes straight and branched loweralkenyl groups of 2 to 7 carbon atoms. Exemplary alkenyls include1-propenyl; 2-propenyl; 1-butenyl; 2-butenyl; 1-pentenyl; 2-ethenyl; andthe corresponding positional isomers such as 1-isobutenyl; 2-isobutenyl;2-sec-butenyl; 2-methyl-1-butenyl; 2-methyl-2-pentenyl;4,5-dimethyl-2-pentenyl; and the like.

The term alkoxy includes the straight and branched, and the positionalisomers having 1 to 7 carbons, for example methoxy; ethoxy; propoxy;n-butoxy; n-pentoxy; n-hexoxy; isopropoxy; 2-butoxy; 3-pentoxy; and thelike. The term alkylene as used for this invention denotes a straight orbranched chain alkylene of 1 to 10 carbons atoms inclusive, such as,methylene; 1,2-ethylene; 1,3-propylene, 1,4-butylene; 1,5-pentylene;1,6-hexylene; 1,7-heptylene; 2-methyl-1,7-heplytene; 1,8-octylene;1,10-decylene; 2-propyl-1,6-hexylene; 1,1-dimethyl-1,6-hexylene; and thelike.

The term alkenylene denotes an unsaturated straight or branched chainmultivalent radical having 2 to 10 carbon atoms such as1,4-but-2-enylene; 1,6-hex-3-enylene; 1,7-hept-3-enylene;1,8-oct-3-enylene; 1,5-pent-3-enylene; 1,9-non-3-enylene;4-propyl-1,6-hex-3-enylene; 5-methoxy-1,6-hex-3-enylene;2-propenyl-1,6-hex-3-enylene; and the like.

The term cycloalkylene includes saturated, monocyclic hydrocarbonradicals of 3 to 7 carbon atoms, such as cyclopropylene; cyclobutylene;cyclopentylene; cyclohexylene; and cycloheptylene. Similarly, the termcycloalkylene includes monocyclic radicals having from 4 to 7 carbonatoms such as 1,4-cyclopent-2-ethylene; 1,5-cyclopent-3-enylene;1,6-cyclohex-2-enylene; and 1,4-cyclohex-2-enylene.

The phrase "cycloalkylene substituted with "includes cycloalkylenes of 3to 7 carbons substituted with an alkyl of 1 to 7 carbons, an alkenyl of2 to 7 carbons, and alkoxy of 1 to 7 carbons, an alkylene of 1 to 10carbons, and an alkylene of 2 to 10 carbons, as above-defined, andfurther exemplified by 2-methyl-1,3-cyclopropylene;2-methyl-1,4-cyclopentylene; 2-ethoxy-2,3-cyclopropylene;2-methoxy-1,4-cyclohexylene; 2-propenyl-1,5-cyclopentylene;1-ethylene-4-cyclohexylene; 1,4-dimethylene-cyclohexylene; and the like.

The phrase "cycloalkenylene substituted with "includes cycloalkenylenesof 4 to 7 carbon atoms substituted with an alkyl of 1 to 7 carbons, analkenyl of 2 to 7 carbons, an alkoxy of 1 to 7 carbons, an alkylene of 1to 10 carbons and an alkenylene of 2 to 10 carbons, which terms areabove-defined, and further exemplified by,5-methyl-1,4-cyclopent-2-enylene; 6-ethyl-1,4-cyclohex-2-enylene;6-ethoxy-1,5-cyclohex-2-enylene; 2-propenyl-1,5-cyclohex-3-enylene;2-methylene-1,4-cyclohex-2-enylene; 1,4-dimethylene cyclohex-5-enylene;2-methoxy-1,4-cyclohept-2-enylene; and the like.

The terms arylene, and arylene substituted with an alkyl of 1 to 7carbons, an alkenyl of 2 to 7 carbons, an alkoxy of 1 to 7 carbons, analkylene of 1 to 10 carbons, and an alkenylene of 2 to 10 including theunsubstituted and substituted benzenoid group of 6 to 16 carbon atoms.Typical groups include phenylene, phenylalkylene, phenylalkenylene,1,4-phenylene, 1,4-phenyldimethylene, 1,4-phenyldiethylene;1-methylene-4-phenylene, 2-ethyl-1,4-phenyldimethylene,2-methoxy-1,4-phenyldimethylene, 2-propenyl-1,4-phenyldiethylene; andthe like.

The phrase hetero-alkylene bridge of 2 to 5 carbon atoms substitutedwith nitrogen or sulfur can be represented by moieties such as --CH₂ CH₂NH--; --CH₂ CH₂ CH₂ NH--; --CH₂ CH₂ CH₂ CH₂ CH₂ NH--; --CH₂ CH₂ NHCH₂CH₂ --; --CH₂ CH₂ CH₂ S--; --CH₂ Ch₂ CH₂ SCH₂ --; --CH₂ CH₂ CH₂ CH₂ CH₂S--; and the like. The phrase dialkylene bridge of 2 to 5 carbon atomssubstituted with an oxygen atom positioned between the dialkylene groupincludes linear ethers such as --CH₂ CH₂ OCH--; --CH₂ CH₂ OCH₂ CH₂ CH₂--; and the like. The phrase an alkylene bridge of 3 to 6 carbon atomsubstituted with an external mercapto or amino group include thosegroups bonded to the ring-forming bridge, with the proviso the groupsare not part of the ring, such as -- CH₂ CH₂ CH(NH₂)CH₂ --; --CH₂ CH₂CH(SH)CH₂ CH--; and the like. The amino group can be substituted withCH₃ groups.

The abbreviation "Het" as used for the purpose of this invention refersto a monocyclic, heterocyclic five to eight membered ring. Theheteroatom ring is a component of the polymeric backbone. The ring is anintegral constituent through a ring carbon atom that is positionedbetween and covalently bonded to the oxygen atoms of the backbone of thepolymer. The ring has an annular, or internal ring-forming nitrogen,oxygen or sulfur atom pendant and covalently bonded to the ring carbonthat is bonded to the backbone. The heterocyclic system is completed toform a five to eight membered ring containing one heteroatom, or a fiveto eight membered ring containing two heteroatoms by independentlyselecting the remainder of the ring from (a), (b), (c), or (d) wherein(a) is a hetero-alkylene bridge of 2 to 5 carbon atoms substituted witha ring-forming atom selected from the group consisting of nitrogen andsulfur; (b) is an alkylene bridge of 3 to 6 carbon atoms substitutedwith a nonring-forming member selected from the group consistingessentially of mercapto and amino; (c) is an alkylene bridge of 3 to 6carbon atoms when the heteroatom of the adjacent and pendant to the ringcarbon atom bonded to the oxygen atom in the polymeric backbone is aring-forming member selected from the group consisting of nitrogen andsulfur; and (d) is a dialkylene bridge having an ether functionalitypositioned between alkylene members of the dialkylene bridge.

The novel polymers of the invention are synthesized by intimatelycontacting and reacting at least one starting difunctional polyolrectant mer, with at least one starting difunctional heterocyclicreactant mer to yield the corresponding polymers.

Exemplary polyols suitable as reactant mers include diols, triols andthe like that can enter into the polymerization reaction withoutadversely effecting it or the polymeric product. The polyols are knownto the prior art in reported systhesis, and they are commerciallyavailable. Generally, the polyols include acyclic diols, triols and thelike of straight or branched, saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon type;monocyclic diols, triols and the like of the unsubstituted orsubstituted, unsaturated or saturated hydrocarbon type; and moncyclicaromatic diols, triols and the like; of the unsubstituted or substitutedaromatic hydrocarbon type.

Typical polyols include diols, named as the glycol, such as1,5-pentylene glycol; 1,6-hexylene glycol; 1,7-heptylene glycol;1,9-nonylene glycol; 2,3-dimethyl-1,6-hexylene glycol;3,6-diethyl-1,9-nonylene glycol; 2-methoxy-1,4-butylene glycol;1,5-pent-2-enylene glycol; 4-propyl-1,6-hex-3-enylene glycol;1,4-but-2-enylene glycol; 4-methoxy-1,5-pent-2-enylene glycol; and thelike.

Representative polyols containing more than 2 reactive hydroxyl radicalsfor use herein include polyhydroxyl compounds such as1,2,3,4,5,6-hexanehexol; 1,2,3,-propanetriol; 1,2,5-pentanetriol;1,3,5-pentanetriol; 1,2,4-butanetriol; 2-methyl-1,2,3-propanetriol;2-methyl-2(hydromethyl)1,2-propanediol; 1,4,7-heptanetriol;1,5,10-decanetriol; and the like.

Other polyols that can be used in accordance with the invention arepolyhydroxyl compounds having 2 to more reactive hydroxyl groups such as1,4-cyclohexane dicarbinol in the cis, trans isomeric configuration andmixtures thereof; 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-cyclobutane 1,3-diol;2-methoxy-1,4-cyclohexane dimethanol; 3-methyl-1,4-cyclopentanedicarbinol; 3,5-cyclohexane diethanol;2,5-dipropyl-1,4-phenyldipropanol; 1,3-cyclopropanendiol;2-propenyl-1,4-cyclohexane dipropanol; 1,4-cyclohex-3-ene dicarbinol;2-methyl-1,4-cyclohexane diisopropanol; 3-isopropoxy-1,4-cyclohexanedipropanol; 2-isopropoxy-1,4-phenyldimethanol;2-ethenyl-1,3-cyclopentane dicarbinol; 1,4-phenyldicarbinol;2-propyl-1,4-phenyldiethanol; 3-butoxy-1,4-phenyldibutanol; and thelike. The preparation of polyols is known to the art in Acta Pharm.Jugaslav., Vol. 2, pages 134 to 139, 1952; Justus Liebigs Ann. Chem.,Vol. 594, pages 76 to 88, 1955; J. Am. Chem. Soc., Vol. 71, pages 3618to 3621, 1949, ibid., Vol. 74, pages 2674 to 2675, 1952; Chem. Abst.,Vol. 42, pages 8774 to 8775, 1948, ibid., Vol. 43, pages 571 to 573 and6652, 1949, ibid., Vol. 44 pages 2554 and 7231, 1950, ibid., Vol. 46,page 9585, 1952, ibid., Vol. 47, page 7575, 1953, ibid., Vol. 48, page106; 1954, ibid., Vol. 49, pages 6098 to 6099, 1955; Encyclopedia ofChemical Technology, Kirk-Othmer, Vol. 10, pages 638 to 678, 1966,published by Interscience Publishers, New York; and the references citedtherein.

Exemplary starting heterocyclic monomers leading to the corresponding"Het" constituent of the polymer include heterocyclic amide acetals,heterocyclic thio ester acetals, substituted heterocyclic orthoesters,and substituted heterocyclic carbonates. The starting monomers are knownto the prior art and they can be prepared by known reactants. Forexample, N-methyl-pyrrolidone diethyl acetal, orN-methyl-2,2-diethoxy-pyrrolidone is prepared by ethylation of thelactam with triethyloxonium tetrafluoroborate followed by reaction ofthe resulting salt with sodidium ethoxide. Pyrrolidone dimethyl acetal,or 2,2-dimethoxy-pyrrolidone, is prepared from the amide chloride andsodium methoxide, and from pyrrolidone-dimethyl sulfate addition complexand sodium methoxide, see, Chem. Ber., Vol. 101, 41, 1968; Chem Zentr.,Vol. 133, 10275, 1962; and Chem. Ber., Vol. 89, 2060, 1956. Similarly,2,2-diethoxy-thiolane is prepared by reacting 2-ethoxythieoleniumtetrafluoroborate with sodium ethoxide, see, Chem. Ber., Vol. 89, 2060,1956. See also, Organic Chemistry, "Carboxylic Ortho Acid Derivatives,"by DeWolfe, Vol. 14, pages 360 and 431 to 432, 1970, published byAcademic Press, New York.

Other reactants such as dialkoxyisoxazolidines and difunctionaldialkenyloxyasoxazolidenes can be synthesized by reacting ketene acetalsof the general formula R₁ R₂ C═(OR₅) with nitrones of the formula R₃CH═N(O)R₄ to yield difunctional mers, wherein R₁ to is hydrogen, alkyl,nitro, amine, and mercapto; R₂ is the same or different than R₁ ; R₃ ishydrogen, alkyl or aryl; R₄ is hydrogen, alkyl, phenyl, amino, nitro andmercapto; and R₅ is alkyl or alkenyl. The procedure is described inGazetta Chemica Italiana, Vol. 96, No. 4, pages 375 to 386, 1966.

Also, other reactants, such as oxathiazoles, can be prepared by reactinga nitrite oxide of the formula R₆ --CNO with a thiocarbonyl of theformula R₇ --CS--R₈ to yield the difunctional mer, wherein R₆ ishydrogen, alkyl, nitro, amino or mercapto; and R₇ and R₈ are the same ordifferent alkoxy, alkenyloxy or phenyloxy. The thiocarbonyls includethioketones, alkyl thiocarboxylates, thiocarbonates, dithiocarboxylatesand dithiocarbonates. A procedure for preparing oxathiazoles isdescribed in Angew Chem., Vol. 73, No. 19, pages 656 to 657, 1961.

Additional monomers having heterocyclic ring structure leading to thepresent polymers include the difunctional amino and mercapto substituted1,3-dioxolanes; the 1,3-dioxanes; the 1,3-dioxepanes; the 1,3dioxocanes; and the amino and mercapto difunctional tetrahydrofurans;the tetrahydropyran; the 1-oxepane; and the like. Representative ofthese monomers include such as 2,2-diethoxy-4-aminotetrahydrofuran;2,2-diethoxy-5-amino-1-oxepane; 2,2-diethoxy-6-mercapto-1-oxecane;2,2-diethoxy-4-mercapto-tetrahydrofuran;2,2-dialkoxy-4-mercapto-1-oxepane; 2,2-dimethoxy-5-amino-1,3-dioxolane;2,2-diethoxy-6-amino-1,3-dioxocane; 2,2-diethoxy-5--1,3-dioxepane; andthe like.

Procedures adaptable for preparing amino and mercapto derivatives aredescribed in Chem. Abst., Vol. 66, 28363g, 1967, ibid., Vol. 68, 59559w,68977h, 1968, ibid., Vol. 69, 35351s, 1968, ibid., Vol. 70, 19915u,88220a, 1969, ibid. Vol. 71, 3276w, 1969, ibid., Vol. 72, 90265d, 1970,ibid., Vol. 73, 4694j, 1970, ibid., Vol. 74, 13407r, 141736j, 1971,ibid., Vol. 77, 88301x, 126406v, 139685k, 151187g, 1972, ibid., Vol. 78,4034x, 111059f, 1973, ibid., Vol. 79, 66769v, 1973, ibid., Vol. 80,36865b, 1974, ibid., Vol. 81, 63438s, 1974, ibid., Vol. 83, 193651h,1975, ibid., Vol. 84, 17068k, 1976, and ibid., Vol. 85, 192483j, 1976.

The heterocyclic monomers and herein also can be prepared by synthesisdescribed in Ber., Vol. 16, pages 352 to 353, 1883, ibid., pages 1644 to1665, 1883; Gen. Chem., U.S.S.R., Vol. 8, pages 1361 to 1367, 1938; J.Am. Chem. Soc., Vol. 54, pages 2964 to 2966, 1932; U.S. Pat. Nos.2,409,699; 2,867,667; 3,323,925; and 3,546,188; British Pat. Nos.853,405 and 1,099,559; Synthetic Organic Chemistry, Chapter 16, pages542 to 545, 1953; published by John Wiley and Sons; The Chemistry of theAliphatic Orthoesters, Chapter 2, pages 11 to 43, 1943, published byReinhold Publishing Corp., Encyclopedia of the Chemical Technology, Vol.8, pages 365 to 383, 1965, published by Interscience Publishers, NewYork; Recueil Trav. Chem. Pays. Bes., Vol. 88, pages 897 to 904, 1909;J. Am. Chem. Soc., Vol. 64, pages 1825 to 1927, 1942; Ind. Eng. Chem.Prod. Res. Develop, Vol. 10, No. 4, pages 425 to 428, 1971; J. Am. Chem.Soc., Vol. 71, pages 40 to 46, 1949; Ann. Chem., Vol. 675, page 141,1964; Angre Chem., Vol. 69, page 371, 1957; J. Am. Chem. Soc., Vol. 76,pages 5736 to 5739, 1954, ibid., Vol. 77, pages 5601 to 5606, 1955;Chem. Ber., Vol. 89, page 2060, 1956; Aust. J. Chem., Vol. 17, pages1385 to 1398, 1964; Gazz Chem. Ital., Vol. 96, page 1164, 1966; Chem.Commun., page 13, 1967; Carboxylic Ortho Acid Derivatives, Chapters 1, 6and 7, 1970, published by Academic Press, New York; Chem. Abst., Vol.68, 49006z, 1968; Chem. Abst., Vol. 51, 10472, 1957; Chem. Abst., Vol.56, 14083, 1957.

The novel polymers of this invention can be synthesized by intimatelycontacting and reacting a polyol monomer with a difunctional acetal-typeheterocyclic monomer to yield the corresponding polymer. Generally, thepolymerization reaction is carried out by reacting stoichiometricamounts of the reactants, or an excess of polyol to yield the polymer.That is, the amount of each reactive monomer can be from about 0.5 to 2moles of polyol to 1 mole of heterocyclic monomer.

The polymerization of the monomers is carried out in a reaction vesselequipped with a stirrer and vacuum attachment with continuous mixing ofthe monomers in the presence of catalyst. The polymerization comprisesan initial transesterification reaction followed by a polycondensationreaction with the complete polymerization performed at a temperature of50° C. to 240° C., and over a reaction time of 1 hour to 120 hours. Thetransesterification step of the reaction consists in mixing the monomersand catalysts, and while continuously stirring the monomers, thetemperature is gradually raised to about 180° C. The transesterificationreaction for most monomers, occurs at 70° C. to 180° C., over a 1 to 24hour reaction period, and at a normal atmospheric pressure withcontinuous distillation of the alcohol. The polycondensation reaction iscommenced by reducing the pressure to usually less than 1.0 mm ofmercury, generally in the range of 0.10 to 0.00001 mm of mercury, andwhile maintaining the elevated temperature and reduced pressure,carrying out the polycondensation by continuously mixing and reactingthe reactants for several hours, generally in the range of 12 to 120hours, or longer, to yield the polymer.

The polymer is recovered under anhydrous conditions from the reactionvessel by conventional isolation and recovery techniques. For example,the polymer is recovered while hot by extracting or pouring, or thepolymer is isolated after cooling by dissolving it in a dry organicsolvent such as benzene, carbon tetrachloride, methylene chloride,dioxane, toluene or xylene, followed by the addition of an organicliquid in which the polymer is insoluble, or has limited solubility toprecipitate the polymer. Organic liquids for this latter purpose includeether, hexane, pentane, petroleum ether, hexane-haptane mixtures, andthe like. The polymer is isolated by filtering and drying underanhydrous conditions. Other methods for recovering the polymer includelyophilizing from a solvent.

Representative catalysts for performing the polymerization reaction areLewis acids such as boron trifluoride etherate, boron trichloride, borontrifluoride, stannic oxycholoride, phosphorous oxychloride, phosphorouspentachloride, calcium acetate, antimony oxide, antimony pentachloride,antimony pentafluoride, stannous octoate, stannic chloride, diethylzinc, n-butyl lithium, and mixtures thereof. The catalysts also includeBronsted catalysts such as p-toluene sulfonic acid, polyphosphoric acid,cross-linked polystyrene sulfonic acid, acidic silica gel, and mixturesthereof. Other catalysts may include neutral or basic catalysts such astetrabutyl titanate, and titanium sodium hydrogen hexabutoxide. Theamounts of catalyst used in about one part of catalyst to about 450 to550 parts, usually 500 parts of difunctional heterocyclic monomer.Smaller, or larger amounts can be used, such as 0.005% to about 2.0%based on the weight of the starting monomer.

The polymerization optionally can be carried out in the presence of aninert organic solvent that does not adversely affect the reaction, orthe reaction can proceed in the absence of added solvent. In the latterreaction one of the reactants, for example, the polyol initially servesas the solvent. As polymerization proceeds, solvent by-product isremoved from the reactions by conventional distillation, azeotropicdistillation, or by distillation under vaccum. Suitable azeotropicsolvents include toluene, benzene, m-xylene, cumene, pyridine,n-heptane, the like, and mixtures thereof.

The following examples are set forth as representative methodsillustrative of the spirit of the present invention. These examples arenot to be construed so as to limit the scope of the invention, as theseand other functionally equivalent means will be readily apparent tothose skilled in the subject art.

EXAMPLE 1

To 0.350 moles of anhydrous trans-1,4-cyclohexane dicarbinol and 0.05grams of polyphosphoric acid in a commercially available polymerizationreactor is added with constant stirring under an inert nitrogenenvironment and normal atmospheric pressure 0.350 moles of dry2,2-diethoxypyrrolidone. Next, the mixture is heated to 110°-115° C. andheld at this temperature for 11/2 to 2 hours, with slow distillation ofa liquid formed. Then, while maintaining the temperature, the pressureis gradually reduced to 0.001 mm of mercury, and at this reducedpressure the temperature is slowly increased to 180° C. The reaction iscontinued at this temperature for 24 hours. The polymer is isolated byextruding it from the reactor. The polymer has the following structure,where n is the degree of polymerization from 10 to 1,000. ##STR3##

EXAMPLES 2-4

Following the procedure of Example 1, but replacingtrans-1,4-cyclohexane dicarbinol and 2,2-diethoxypyrrolidone with:

trans-2-methyl-1,4-cyclohexane diethanol and 2,2-dimethoxypyrrolidone;

trans-2-methyl-1,4-cyclohexane dipropanol and 2,2-dimethoxypyrrolidone;and,

trans-2-ethyl-1,4-cyclohexane dicarbinol and2,2-diethoxy-N-methylpyrrolidone; and the following polymers are formed:

poly(2,2-dioxa-trans-2-methyl-cyclohexane-1,4-diethylene-2-pyrrolidone);

poly(2,2-dioxa-trans-2-methyl-cyclohexane-1,4-dipropylene-2-pyrrolidone);and

poly(2,2-dioxa-trans-2-ethyl-cyclohexane-1,4-dimethylene-2-N-methyl-pyrrolidone).

EXAMPLES 5-6

Repeating the procedure of Example 1, but replacing thetrans-1,4-cyclohexane dicarbinol with a member selected from the groupconsisting essentially of freshly distilled 1,6-hexanediol and1,10-decanediol, the corresponding polymers of the following formula areobtained: ##STR4##

EXAMPLE 7

To 0.312 mole of dry trans, or cis/trans-1,4-cyclohexane dicarbinol and0.05 grams of p-toluene sulfonic acid is added with constant agitation,0.312 mole of 2,2-diethoxypiperidine and the polymerization reaction ofExample 1 is repeated to yield the polymer shown below. ##STR5##

EXAMPLE 8

Repeating the procedure of Example 7, but replacing the trans, orcis/trans-1,4-cyclohexane dicarbinol with 1,4-phenyldimethanol, thefollowing polymer is obtained. ##STR6##

EXAMPLE 9

To a mixture of 0.375 mole of freshly distilled 1,6-hexanediol and 0.05grams of polyphosphoric acid under a nitrogen blanket at atmosphericpressure is added with constant stirring 0.375 mole of2,2-diethoxythiolane and the mixture heated to 110° to 120° C. Themixture is held at this temperature for 1.5 to 2.5 hours as ethanolslowly is distilled from the polymerization reactor. Next, the pressureis reduced to 0.01 mm Hg over a 2 hour period and at this vacuum thetemperature is elevated to 180° C. over a similar 2 hour period. Thereaction is allowed to continue for 24 hours to yield the polymer withthe structure shown below, where n is 10 to 1,000. ##STR7##

EXAMPLE 10-12

Repeating the procedure of Example 9, but replacing the 1,6-hexanedioland the 2,2-diethoxythiolane with stoichiometric reactive amounts of thefollowing monomers:

cis,trans-1,4-cyclohexane dicarbinol and 2,2-diethoxythiane;

cis,trans-1,4-cyclohexane dicarbinol and 2,2-diethoxythiepane; and

cis,trans-1,4-cyclohexane dicarbinol and 2,2-diethoxythiocane, thefollowing polymers are obtained:

poly(2,2-dioxa-cis,trans-1,4-cyclohexane-dimethylene-2-thiane);

poly(2,2-dioxa-cis,trans-1,4-cyclohexane-dimethylene-2-thiepane); and,

poly(2,2-dioxa-cis,trans-1,4-cyclohexane-dimethylene-2-thiocane).

EXAMPLE 13

To 0.312 mole of 1,10-decanediol and 0.05 grams of polyphosphoric acidin a reactor vessel, under a nitrogen environment and at atmosphericpressure, is added with constant stirring 0.312 mole of2,2-diethoxy-4-dialkyl aminotetrahydrofuran. Next, the mixture is heatedto 108°-115° C., and kept at this temperature for 1.5 to 2.5 hours asethanol is gently distilled from the reactor. Then, while maintainingthis temperature, the pressure is slowly reduced to 0.01 mm of mercury,and at this reduced pressure the temperature is raised to 180° C. Thepolycondensation is continued for 24 hours to yield the polymer with thestructure shown below and with a degree of polymerization of 10 to1,000. ##STR8##

EXAMPLES 14-15

Repeating the procedure of Example 13, but replacing 1,10-decanediol and2,2-diethoxy-4-amino-tetrahydrofuran with stoichiometric amounts of thefollowing monomers:

1,6-hexanediol and 2,2-diethoxy-4-mercaptotetrahydrofuran; and

3-methyl-1,5-cyclopentanediethanol and2,2-diethoyoxy-4-amino-tetrahydrofuran, the following polymers areprepared:

poly(2,2-dioxahexamethylene-[4-mercapto-2-tetrahydrofuran]); and,

poly(2,2-dioxa-[3methyl-cyclopentyl-1,5-diethylene]-[4-amino-2-tetrahydrofuran].

EXAMPLE 16

The polycondensation of 2,2-diethoxyhexahydroazepine with 1,6-hexanediolin the presence of p-toluene sulfonic acid catalyst with the catalysthaving a weight ratio of 1/500 to the 1,6-hexanediol, and the monomerratio of about 2.2/1 of hexanediol to the diethoxyhexahydroazepine iscarried out as follows: first, the hexanediol is introduced into areactor and is mixed with freshly distilled toluene. Then, toluene isdistilled in situ to azeotrope any water present from the system. Next,the diethoxyhexahydroazepine and the p-toluene sulfonic acid are addedand transesterification and polycondensation are carried out at175°-185° C., and at 1 millitor of vacuum over a 25 to 35 hour period toyield the polymer poly(2,2-dioxahexane-2-hexahydroazepine.).

EXAMPLES 17-21

In the instant examples, polymers are prepared according to the reactionprocedure of Example 16. The polymers are prepared wherein the monomerpairs are as follows:

2,2-dialkoxy-octahydroazocine and 1,6-hexamethylene diol;

2,2-dialkoxy-diazepine and 1,4-phenylene dicarbinol;

2,2-dialkoxy-diazocine and 1,7-heptamethylene diol;

5,5-dialkoxy-1,2-oxathiolane and 1,6-hexamethylene diol; and,

2,2-dialkoxy-1,4-morpholine and2-methyl-cis/trans-1,6-cyclohexanedipropanol; to yield the correspondingpolymers:

poly(2,2-dioxahexamethylene-2-octa-hydroazocine);

poly(2,2-dioxa-1,4-phenyldimethylene-2-diazepine);

poly(2,2-dioxaheptamethylene-2-diazocine);

poly(2,2-dioxahexamethylene-1,2-oxathiolane); and,

poly(2,2-dioxa-[2-methyl-cis/trancyclohexyl-1,6-dipropylene]-[2-morpholine]).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF APPLICATION OF THE INVENTION

The polymers of the invention are useful for making articles ofmanufacture including devices, and coatings for releasing beneficialagents. The polymers can be processed into articles, including deliverydevices and coated onto an agent by standard manufacturing techniques.For example, the polymers can be extruded into filaments, pressed intoshaped articles, solvent film cast, doctor-bladed into thin films,coated onto an agent by solvent evaporation, compression and transfermolded, and processed by like standard methods of manufacture. Otherdevices provided by the invention include a device for the controlledrelease of an active agent wherein the device is a matrix of the polymerhaving an active agent present in the matrix with the device eroding andreleasing agent over time.

The polymers of the invention can be used as a single film, or in anumber of layers made of different polymers of this invention, and theycan be made into devices of various geometric shapes, for example, flatsquare, round, tubular, disc, ring and the like. Also, the devices ofthe invention are sized, shaped and adapted for implantation, insertionor placement on the body, in the body, its cavities and passageways, orfor positioning in other environments for example, fields or reservoirs.The polymers are useful for making devices for dispensing an activeagent and for use as coatings as they erode with an accompanyingdispensing of the agent. Standard procedures for processing the polymersare described in Plastic Encyclopedia, Vol. 46, pages 62-70, 1969.

The terms "active agent," and "beneficial agent" as used in thisspecification and accompanying claims includes pesticides, herbicides,germicides, biocides, algicides, rodenticides, fungicides, insecticides,plant growth promoters, plant growth inhibitors, preservatives,disinfectants, sterilization agents, cosmetics, drugs, plant foods,fertilizers, vitamins, sex sterilants, plant hormones, fertilityinhibitors, fertility promoters, air-purifiers, micro-organismattenuators, nutrients and the like.

The term drug as comprehended by the invention broadly includes a memberselected from the group consisting essentially of local and systemicdrugs that produce a physiologic and pharmacologic beneficial result inanimals, avians, reptiles and pisces. The term animals includes mammals,and mammals includes humans. Animals also include household, sport andfarm animals such as sheep, goat, cow, dog, cat, etc. The drug that maybe administered includes both inorganic and organic drugs of the localand systemic type that act on the nervous system, hypnotics, sedatives,narcotic antagonists, psychic energizers, tranquilizers, musclerelaxants, antiparkinson, analgesics, antipyretics, anti-inflammatory,anesthetics, antispasmodics, antiulcer, prostaglandins, anti-microbials,anti-malarials, antivirals, hormones, androgenic steroids, estrogenicsteroids, progestational steroids, corticosteroids, sympathomineticamines, cardiovascular drugs, diuretics, neoplastics, hypoglycemic,nutritional agents, vitamins, amino acids, essential elements,ophthalmic drugs, and the like. The above drugs and their present doseare further described in The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics,edited by Goodman and Gilman, 4th Edition, 1970, published by TheMacmillan Company; The Drug, the Nurse, the Patient, by Falconer, Ezell,Patterson, and Gustafson, 1974, published by W. B. Saunders Co.; MedicalPharmacology, by Goth, 4th Edition, 1968, The C. V. Mosby Company; andAmerican Drug Index, by Billups and Billups, 1978, published by J. B.Lippincott Co.

The agents can be in various forms, such as uncharged molecules,components of molecular complexes, salts, esters, ethers and amideswhich have solubility characteristics compatible with the polymer, aresuitable for the purpose of this invention. Also, an agent that haslimited solubility, or is water insoluble can be used in a form that isa water soluble derivative thereof to effectively serve as a solute, andon its release from the polymer, it is converted by the environmentincluding enzymes, hydrolyzed by body pH, or metabolic processes to theoriginal form or to an active form. Additionally, agent within thepolymers can have various art known forms such as solution, dispersion,paste, cream, particles, granules, emulsions, suspension, powders,micronized powders, and the like.

The polymers are useful in a presently preferred embodiment formanufacturing polymeric delivery compositions containing a drug whichcomposition erodes in an aqueous environment with an accompanyingrelease of drug. For example, a composition is prepared by heating thepolymer of Example 1 until it becomes pliable and then adding micronizedhydrocortisone to the polymer. Next, the polymer and the hydrocortisoneare thoroughly mixed to produce a good dispersion of the steroid, and toyield a 5% hydrocortisone loaded polymer. After the polymer drugformulation cools to room temperature, the formulation can be molded ina peselected design that is sized, shaped and adapted for positioningand placement in the biological environment of use. A formulationcontaining hydrocortisone can be used for the management of inflammationand bursitis when applied to a drug receptor site. In accompanying FIG.1, a polymer drug formulation is seen sized, shaped and adapted asdevice 10 for delivering the drug to a local drug receptor site. Device10 comprises the polymer 11 and drug 12 distributed there-through.Generically, for this embodiment and other embodiments, the polymeragent formulation can contain from 0.001% to about 50% by weight ofagent, including drug, with a presently preferred range of from 0.01% toabout 40% by weight of agent.

A bilayer film of two different polymers also can be used for deliveringagents to an environment of use. The bilayer film, manufactured in theform of delivery device 10, is seen in FIG. 2. Device 10 comprises layer13 in a laminar arrangement with layer 14, with each layer formed of adifferent polymer having a different erosion rate. An agent is dispersedin each layer, which agent 12 in layer 13 can be the same or differentthan agent 15 dispersed in layer 14. For example, the device can be usedto deliver the juvenile hormones, such asmethyl-10,11-(cis)osido-7-ethyl-3,11-dimethyl-trideca-2(trans),6(trans)-dienoatein one layer, and the active agent 2,4-dichloropenoxyacetic acid in theouter layer. Many variations of device 10 will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art of dispensing agents in the light of this invention.For example, a greater number of layers can be used, a variety ofagents, including drugs, can be used in several layers, and polymershaving different erosion rates can be used for obtaining differentdelivery patterns.

In another embodiment, the polymers are useful for coating agents thatlend themselves to use as slow release fertilizers. The fertilizers arecoated in their conventional forms such as granules, powder, beads,particles, and the like. Fertilizers that can be coated include urea,fertilizers with slow ammonia release, fertilizers in the form of watersoluble salts, which salts contain nitrogen, phosphorous, sulfur,potassium, calcium, magnesium, manganese, zinc, copper, boron, and thelike. Also, fertilizers such as the common fertilizers designated by8-24-12, 8-8-6, 5-20-20, 12-12-12, 14-16-0, 8-4-6, 3-9-6, and the like.Additionally, the fertilizer or plant nutrient can be impregnated into,or suitably admixed with inert materials, such as silica, coke, and thelike.

In one embodiment, the polymers prepared according to the spirit of theinvention are applied to the fertilizers, for example, in granular formby mixing the fertilizer and the polymer in a fluidized bed having aconical bottom. The bed is equipped with an inert gas inlet at the topfor introducing gas for mixing the polymer and the fertilizer until thefertilizer is coated with 0.1 to 10% by weight of polymer. Thetemperature of the gas is dependent on the concentration of thedispersion, usually 20° to 125° C. The conical device also can haveexterior means for governing the temperature of the process. In anotherembodiment, the fertilizer is coated by mixing the polymer with anorganic solvent to facilitate its application in thin coat form to thefertilizer granules. The selection of suitable solvents in view of thoseset forth above, is within the skill of the art. The coatingcompositions can additionally contain pigments, dyes, driers,stabilizers and the like.

It will be appreciated by those versed in the art, the present inventionmakes available novel polymers useful for making items of science andcommerce, including devices for dispensing a beneficial agent. Also, itwill be understood by those knowledgeable in the art, that manyembodiments of this invention can be made without departing from thespirit of the invention, and the invention is not to be construed aslimited, as it embraces all equivalents inherent herein.

I claim:
 1. A device for the controlled release of an active agent to anenvironment of use, said device comprising: a matrix of a release ratecontrolling material, said material comprising a polymer of the formula:##STR9## wherein R is a member selected from the group of divalent,trivalent and tetravalent radicals consisting of alkylene of 1 to 10carbons; alkenylene of 2 to 10 carbons; cycloalkylene of 3 to 7 carbons;cycloalkylene of 3 to 7 carbons substituted with an alkyl of 1 to 7carbons, alkenyl of 2 to 7 carbons, alkoxy of 1 to 7 carbons, alkyleneof 1 to 10 carbons, and alkenylene of 2 to 10 carbons; cycloalkenyleneof 4 to 7 carbons; cycloalkenylene of 4 to 7 carbons substituted with analkyl of 1 to 7 carbons, alkenyl of 2 to 7 carbons, alkoxy of 1 to 7carbons, alkylene of 1 to 10 carbons and alkenylene of 2 to 10 carbons;arylene of 6 to 16 carbons; arylene of 6 to 16 carbons substituted withan alkyl of 1 to 7 carbons, alkenyl of 2 to 7 carbons, alkoxy of 1 to 7carbons, alkylene of 1 to 10 carbons and alkenylene of 2 to 10 carbons;and Het is a monocyclic, heterocyclic five to eight membered ring, saidring comprising: (1) a carbon atom bivalently bonded to the oxygen atomsof the polymeric chain; (2) a hetero ring atom pendant and adjacent tothe carbon atom of the ring bonded to the polymeric chain, said heteroatom selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, sulfur and oxygen;and (3) with the remainder of the ring independently selected from (a),(b), (c), and (d) wherein (a) is an alkylene bridge of 2 to 5 carbonssubstituted with a ring member selected from the group consisting ofnitrogen and sulfur; (b) is an alkylene bridge of 3 to 6 carbonssubstituted with an external member selected from the group consistingof mercapto and amino; and (c) is an alkylene bridge of 3 to 6 carbonswhen the hetero atom adjacent to the carbon atom of the polymeric chainis a hetero ring atom selected from the group consisting of nitrogen andsulfur; and (d) is a dialkylene bridge of 2 to 5 carbon atoms havingwith an ether atom between the alkylene members of the bridge when thehetero atom adjacent to the carbon atoms of the polymeric chain isselected from the group consisting of nitrogen and sulfur; n is greaterthan 10; an active agent present in the matrix; and wherein the device,when in the environment of use releases the active agent to theenvironment of use over a period of time.
 2. A device for delivering theactive agent according to claim 1 wherein the matrix comprises a polymercontaining a member selected from the group consisting of trans isomers,cis isomers, and mixtures thereof.
 3. A device for delivering the activeagent according to claim 1 wherein the device contains from 0.001% to50% by weight of active agent.
 4. A composition of matter comprising afertilizer coated with a polymer of the general formula: ##STR10##wherein R is a member from the group consisting essentially of a di, triand tetravalent alkylene, alkenylene, cycloalkylene, cycloalkenylene andarylene; and Het is a heterocyclic five to eight membrane ringcomprising (1) a carbon atom bivalently bonded to the oxygen atoms ofthe polymer (2) a hetero ring atom adjacent to the carbon atom of thepolymer, said hetero atom a member selected from the group consisting ofnitrogen, sulfur and oxygen; and (3) with the remainder of the ringindependently selected from (a) and (b), wherein (a) is an alkylenebridge of 2 to 5 carbon atoms substituted with a ring forming memberselected from the group consisting of nitrogen and sulfur; and (b) is analkylene bridge of 3 to 6 carbon atoms when the hetero atom adjacent tothe carbon atom in the polymer chain is a ring member selected from thegroup consisting of nitrogen and sulfur, and n is greater than
 10. 5.The composition of matter according to claim 4, wherein the fertilizeris a member selected from the group consisting of urea and water solublesalts of nitrogen, phosphorous, sulfur, potassium, calcium, magnesium,manganese, zinc, copper and boron.
 6. The composition of matteraccording to claim 4, wherein alkylene is 1 to 10 carbon atoms,alkenylene is 2 to 10 carbon atoms, cycloalkylene is 3 to 7 carbonatoms, cycloalkenylene of 4 to 7 carbon atoms, arylene is 6 to 16 carbonatoms, and n is 10 to 1,000.
 7. The composition of matter according toclaim 4, wherein the fertilizer is coated with 0.1% to 10% by weight ofpolymer.
 8. The composition of matter according to claim 4, wherein theremainder of the heterocyclic ring comprises an alkylene bridge of 3 to6 carbon atoms substituted with an external member selected from thegroup consisting of mercapto and amino.